SIGNIFICANCE OF RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN AKWA IBOM STATE: AN APPRAISAL

Religious symbols are iconic representation intended to represent a specific religion or concept within a given religion. Symbolic representation of a specific religious tradition is useful in a society with religious pluralism as was in time past and in modern multiculturalism. Outstanding of the problems faced by the misunderstanding of such symbols is always focused on traditional religion. The objective of the study were to examine some of the traditional religious symbols, evaluate their importance to the votaries of indigenous religion and the society at large. The historical phenomenology, primary and secondary sources of information were used by the researcher. Findings of the study revealed that systems of symbols and pictures that are constituted in a certain ordered and determined relationship to the form, content, and intention of presentation are believed to be among the most important means of knowing and expressing religious facts. Thus religious symbols help create a resonant mythos expressing the moral values of the society or teachings of a religion, foster solidarity among adherents while bringing them closer to their object of worship.

Open Full Text (PDF)